Thank You Shane From Dharruk Inspired By 'Trolley Buses'

Shane, another wise person from within from Mount Druitt, made myself learn of a new (to me) another type/form of public transport, 'Trolley buses'.


These are buses run by powered overhead wires (generally suspended by roadside posts) using spring-loaded trolley poles. Two wires and poles are required to complete the electrical circuit. 

Thank you Shane, for introducing myself to this other form of public transport which I have discovered, with your  wonderful advice. I can now publicise this great form of public transport to our wider community!


Click Here For Further information

Have Your Say On Transport - St Marys-Mount Druitt Star 17/4/2012

On track for better transport: John Svoboda is optimistic about the future of public transport. Go to mountdruittcommuters.blogspot.com.au to read his ideas. Picture: Mike Sea

Have your say on transport

BY KYLIE STEVENS

16 Apr, 2012 12:00 AM

MOUNT Druitt Commuters Improvement Group president John Svododa urges commuters to have their say on the NSW Long Term Transport Master Plan.The state government has unveiled a discussion paper to collaborate with commuters on transport challenges facing NSW over the next 20 years.

The extensive feedback process includes forums, strategy meetings with advisory groups, one-on-one consultations, an online survey and use of social media.
A regional forum will be held in Penrith on Monday, April 23.
The draft plan will be released for public comment mid-year, with the final plan due for completion in November.


Everyone is urged to submit feedback, no matter how small their suggestion.
"Even minor changes could make life better," Mr Svoboda said. "The master plan is the first step towards a better transport system."


Mount Druitt Commuters Improvement Group will meet on Saturday at Wests Tradies at 10.30am to discuss ideas.The group will decide whether it will lodge its own submission or join forces with Western Sydney Public Transport Users.


Mr Svoboda's highest priority is better connection times for buses and trains at transport interchanges.Other suggestions include replacing announcements with electronic signal boards at Mount Druitt station, and slashing the current 12 bus networks to two.


"We're open to other suggestions for the submission," Mr Svoboda said.
Submissions on the discussion paper close on Friday, April 27.


Send your ideas to NSW Long Term Transport Master Plan team,
Transport for NSW, GPO Box K659, Haymarket, NSW 1240,
 email masterplan@transport.nsw. gov.au or complete an online feedback form at nsw.gov.au/haveyoursay.o comments yet. 

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Missed Bus on Bus Interchange!

John, from Cambridge park has been travelling around on public transport both trains and buses for many years as a disabled commuter, he has both his legs thickly bandages, strapped to sandals. Yet he is still able to commute.


His issues are when commuters reach Penrith train station and interchange for buses, he misses the buses as they are leaving 20 minutes later then timetabled (on purpose). When they leave they have  hardly each commuters, thus and will be able to meet the time table when they reach Mount Druitt.  because of this 20-30 people may miss their bus. This is a good one and amazing - I met John last Friday night.


Do you have the same problems - let us know?

Mount Druitt Commuter Happy to 'Have Your Say'!

Steven from Mount Druitt used to travel to work to and from the City for 42 years - now recently travels to Parramatta. He agrees that it is better for him to work closer to home.
He also was   


"Happy  to 'Have your say' (or in this case his say)" on the NSW  Long Term Transport Masterplan.


Have your say. on the NSW Transportmasterplan

Irene From Whalan Claims Our Original Group Was Chaired Well

Yes, on  last Friday night on the way home I met Irene who attended the 'Save Our Bus Services, Mount Druitt and Surrounding Suburbs' community meeting at Whalan Community Hall on 7th November 2009 and she thought I chaired the meeting well.


Click on the brief blog on our orginal story


She said she will get a few people to come to our meeting on 21st of this month.. This will be good as she is after more bus services in  Gasmatta Crescent, Whalan, especially after 10am.

Quicker From St. Marys To Richmond

Eunice from St Marys, another inspirational young lady claims she works at Richmond and it is easier for her to catch 2 trains from St. Marys and change at Blacktown  to Richmond then to catch a bus to Richmond from St Marys.


She also mentioned it is quicker to travel that way even including the waiting time  at Blacktown.

Seldom Commuter Not Comfortable On Trains!

Damendra from Blacktown is another commuter that is quite happy to be open about his thoughts on public transport trains.


He claims trains are not comfortable for him and prefers driving to the city as a one person is his car. He also finds it hard to relax on a train.


If anyone feels the same let us know as this is important for our future  public transport.

Security Camera Issues At Sevens Hills Commuter Carpark

This evening, coming home  from Parramatta to  Seven Hills, I met wonderful  couple called Tushar &  Mansi - both resting on each other should, totally relaxed and tired.


they advised that as they live in Prospect, the Seven Hills Commuter Car Park is convenient for themselves to park their car and ride on CityRail trains. as long as you get good 'undercover parking' ( called 'Park and Ride' terminology in transport language).


The only issue according to Tushar was that he had heard from his friends that  the video cameras are not working  as some broke into of their cars & City Rail couldn't do anything about it.

Commuter Missed Train Station Whilst Talking To Me!

An excited wonderful man  I met on the train really was interested with the transport topic that I always introduce and allow commuters to  talk about.


Ahmed from Mount Druitt had a lot to say about public transport - especially when his Mytrain quarterly ticket went from approximately $450 to $500 per quarter. It seemed to him that there was  no important changes to qualify for his dramatic fare increase.


Here is something I don't hear much: the Cityrail staff at Mount Druitt train Station ae grumpy, abrupt and rude when asking them questions and they appear that they are under pressures from the Cityrail Management. His impression of them is it appears they haven't ever done a customer service course before!


After this he said to me that he had to get off at Westmead, my throat nearly went choked when I realised we  were going past Pendle Hill. Once I told him that he missed his station I also said that is because of myself that he missed the station - he reassured myself it was no worries as we were having a great conversation - got off at Seven Hills to go back to Westmead1


Agentleman of one kind as never got upset on myself - he just dropped his jaws and gasped! What I liked about him was that he also said that he would hope to meet myself again one day!

My Future Long Term Public Transport Masterplan!

Planing for future for transport within NSW must incorporate a heavy emphasis in moving people to and from public transport that will alleviate congestion on roads and not add to delays as well. This has got to be done to cater for a growing population and a growing commuter population, especially if population expectation  is predicted to be 5,615,400  in 2031 an increase of 1,359,590 compared to 2010 Sydney population.
(Source: 'NSW LONG TERM  TRANSPORT MASTER DISCUSSION  PAPER FEBRUARY 2012' Page 31) 

                                          


Special bus lanes must be promoted as well as community ways, extension of rail services via  'Y' links to Campbelltown- Penrith, Penrith to Riverstone etc, to meet both north and south as well. Duplication of carriageway lines from St Marys to Emu Plains. Station upgrades on all  stations on the Western  & Cumberland lines to be upgraded catering for  improved access to all commuters.


Local transport planning is the primary importance to meet local transport demand and must include local transport groups or related community groups in consultation inclusive of feedback from LGA's.


Bus Reviews should be reduced down to 2 areas only - Sydney and Western Sydney with focus on local transport connecting major shopping hubs bringing in a closer community. Bus stops must be easily marked, illuminated for night for both commuters and bus drivers to see and also  made more accessible, when bus stops aren't adequately accessed. Increased services introduced based on increased patronage.

Commuters that interchange to other public transport services or interconnect, need to have planned local timetable where both transport services allow adequate walking distance to meet the other connection.

Review of transport fares to be reviewed as per same terms of office for Parliamentary Members of the NSW Parliament, no offloading price increases every 6-12 months.



Public transport must have continual advertisements, in all forms of media's to move more people off cars into all forms of public transport even the promotion of 'Maxi Taxis' for small group short trips.


Public transport should not be neglected on weekends and late at nights on weekdays, loop bus services should be provided to cover multiple routes.


More security provided through Police Transit Officers on all public transport, ensuring safety on trains, buses, train stations,  bus interchanges and taxi ranks, car-parks and all other NSW for Transports public property. State Transit officers will be employed for ticket infringement notices.





LGA's must be used as a  feedback for the local community where  Council's can make there recommendations  to the local Transport Community Task force Group- which will include relevant  transport stakeholders, commuters ( local transport group and/or equivalent)  both council Traffic officers and Councillor Officers - representing community's interests.

Free Wi-Fi should be offered on all forms of public transport from train stations, bus stops, trains, light rail, buses and even taxis - this will be a great incentive for commuters to move into public transport enjoy their trips while researching, search, meeting assignments,  just plain old simply reading, e-mailing, blogging and any other Internet activity.


Commuters input is important and decisions made must not be made without this in mind, especially when it comes down to it no one should be denied  a type of public transport service. In saying that, where there is a train station that meets a community but is main amenities are further away for walking distance, a free Bus shuttle service can be operated as long as NSW for Transport meets their obligation by publicat
on of services in all medias and ensuring it meets local needs.


Video 1 Public Transport Promotion - click here


Video 2 - Promotion for Public Transport Future - click here


Bus drivers and Cityrail staff  must not obtain their drivers licence (for bus driving only) yet go through stringent Customer Service Course(s) on the focus of  presenting a great image for their industry and reviewed at least one day per year. Commuter competitions  to award Cityrail staff , bus driver, taxi driver best customer service transport operator etc


Although there are no smoking sign placed on train stations there doesn't seem to be any policing of this, with financial infringement notices issues. This will create revenue for the NSW Government and also a healthier community or environment for commuters to commute in. Adding to this should is bus interchanges and bus stops should be free of commuter lighting up cigarettes.


Refer to Non Smokers' Movement Australia

Non smokers on station platforms

Instead of widening roads, creating eventually more clogging of traffic in the long term future - maybe look at 'Bus Only' streets and car only streets ( limiting cars travelling around)! Taxi only shortcut routes- technology announcing which is the shortest route and cost of before departing to destination!




Light Rail or Trolley Buses can used in the local  community, to provide links in loops services around the desired routes  ensuring more commuters are make more accessible to more public transport. In services that have high demand for patronage then bring back the 'Double-Decker buses'!

A Light Rail Sydney

An English "Reading' Trolley bus

A Swedish Trolley Bus

Increase in penalties, sentencing regarding missile throwers on public transport vehicles, transport officer and the general public  - including for juveniles, defacing/graffiti  public transport property made to  decorate public transport property with consensus of the  local community, increasing 'community pride' for first offence and  let these offenders  reach out to the general community and tell others of all the negatives of doing so. Community encouraged to take photos/ videos of these offenders and refer to crimestoppers

Do not collect $200!

Colourful buses, trains & taxis to  make the community feel more proud of how transport feels and looks in their area:

Maxi taxis can be use to take up to eleven commuters to relevant short distance and an economical rate when the fare is divided equally. Also another form of transport that was used in Mount Druitt before was the 'Westbus Nippers' then they were pulled out of service for unknown reason.




 For the enthusiast there must be access provided for bike ways and  allowing for leisure, pleasure and to commute to various destinations. This form of public transport should not be omitted in local transport discussions from within the community right up to Transport for NSW and local Government areas. Designated routes should allotted for this purposes, even though one lane way may be used up on major roads.


Promotion of Government regulated carpooling can ultimately reduce  near empty private cars off the road  which in the long run can  provide healthier lifestyles to the community and there will be overall reduction of petrol used. NSW for Transport should ensure this is considered with all Local Government's plans.






The best way of  planning future public transport is from within the local community, people discussing through transport local advocacy groups. community groups and meeting though Local  Government Transport Forums - open to the community/areas, representations made to local State members of the NSW Government.


The final result is that you as an individual cam also have a Transport Long Term Masterplan - not everyone's is correct. Where similarities occur that is when there seems to be an overall movement to a popular suggestion and other unpopular may also get through -


Have your say at NSW Long Term Transport Masterplan - there are community forums coming up that you may wish to share your views as well - my suggestion is two fold - either provide your feedback no matter how big or how small direct to NSW Government via the Masterplan or your local member of Parliament or you may contact our group and we may be looking at referring it directly  to the NSW Government via  WSPTU to the Long Term  Transport Masterplan.